10+ Application Letter Templates

Whether you are applying for a job, a loan, or for the chance to be considered for a specific benefit or service, you need to make sure that your application letter is tailor-fitted for that specific purpose. In this article, we can help you with doing just that as we share tips and examples of effective application letter templates.

Table of Contents:

The next few paragraphs are all about orienting you with the world of formal business correspondence and how it applies to the creation of application letters. Moreover, multiple examples of printable letter templates are also included to get you started on drafting your own application letters. Read on!

Elements of A Good Application Letter

First off, we need to discuss the basic yet most important elements or characteristics that make up a compelling application letter. Study each essential characteristic so that you may more accurately assess your own business letters and so you can figure out a way to apply them into your own application letters.

1. Appropriate Letter Format: Application letters are considered business correspondences. Therefore, you should follow any of the standard business letter styles or formats when writing them. You may choose from the Modified Block Style, Block Style, and the Semi-Block Style. Take a look at the application letter format mock-ups embedded in this article so that you will have an idea of what style or format each application letter template follows.

2. Formal Language: As a formal business letter, an application letter should likewise use a professional tone and wording. Use polite words and phrases. Avoid sounding too self-important and refrain from using too much jargon. The most compelling application letters are worded simply and possess a positive approach. Make sure that your own application letter is written this way or look for pre-made letter templates that already possess this kind of letter writing style.

3. Correct Heading and Inside Address: Another technical element that should be present in any application letter are correct letter headings and inside address/es. This is an important element because this is the first thing that any employer or evaluator will read. Applicants will have a better impression if their application letters are written with accurate information right from the start.

4. Functional or Thematic Design: This refers to the way information is presented on the body of an application letter. An effective application letter allows its reader to easily connect your personal qualifications with what a posted job or opportunity entails. Functional design in business letter-writing presents personal, educational, and work information in different paragraphs until it all relates to the job requirements. Thematic design, on the other hand, divides information into different fields or skills (like management, financial, leadership, etc) and presents both work and education experiences that relate to the specific field.

5. Actionable Ending or Conclusion: Another essential element that makes an effective yet simple application letter is having an actionable ending or conclusion. Stop using passive phrases like ‘I hope to be considered for the position’. Instead, end your letter with a more action-oriented sentence like asking the reader to call or contact you right away if you are considered for a job. It is best to even add your own phone number or email address. Using open-ended questions that are relevant to your application may also work.

Take all these elements seriously. Re-read them until you fully know their gist and you have come up with different ways on how you can effectively apply them in your own application letters. To see a wide variety of application letters for different professions that all incorporate the essential characteristics we have discussed above, check out the letter templates featured below.

10+ Application Letter Templates

Featured below are multiple examples of premium and free application letter templates that anyone may use to create their own application letters. These application letter sample templates are available in multiple file formats so that you may download and edit them using a software program that you know how to use.

Blank Internship Application Letter Format

Sample Chronological Application Cover Letter

Simple Tips For an Excellent Application Letter

To write an excellent application letter, you first need to master the art of business correspondence. But who has all the time to do that anyway? That is why we have compiled a list of the most important letter-writing style tips that anyone can easily use on their own application letters.

1. Do not fill the entire page. Use 1-inch to 1.5-inch margins and space the sentences and paragraphs accordingly.

2. Always check for grammatical errors and typos. Fact-check.

3. Maintain a professional yet positive voice.

4. Wow with your introduction by using a compelling hook and at the same time stating the letter’s objective.

5. Make the content of your letter more readable by avoiding jargon.

6. Make the entire application letter short. Do not use another page.

7. Divide the body of the letter according to different topics. Use either a thematic or functional design as discussed earlier.

10. Strategically format the key information on the first and last paragraphs of the letter’s body since they will be remembered better.

11. Use plain, white paper with minimal decorative designs.

12. Add endnotes if you are submitting your resume or curriculum vitae along with the application letter.

13. Make your application letter available in digital formats for employers who prefer this kind of application review (i.e. email application letters).

14. Use a pre-formatted application letter template to save time and effort.

Parts of an Application Letter

If you need a refresher, we have listed the basic parts of a formal application letter. Familiarize yourself with them so that writing your own application letter will be a lot easier.

Heading

Inside Address

Greeting

Body

Complimentary Close

Signature Line

Types of Application Letters

Listed below are different categories and subtypes of application letters. Application letters may be categorized according to the kind of information they contain, the way they are sent, and their end purpose.

According to the kind of data they share:

Objective Application Letters: This contains only the most relevant information asked by a job ad or posting.

Highlight Application Letters: This includes a rundown of a person’s qualifications and how it relates to the job requirements.

According to the way they are sent:

Solicited Application Letters: Application letters sent in response to a job posting or advertisement.

Unsolicited Application Letters: Letters sent to employers who have not posted a job ad in hope to be considered for an open position.

Application Letter Sizes

Application Letter FAQs

What is the difference between an application letter and a cover letter?

These two terms are often used interchangeably. Their difference lies in the amount of information they contain. Application letters function as a more comprehensive summary of a person’s resume or curriculum vitae. A cover letter, on the other hand, will only contain the most basic pieces of information that presents an applicant’s work and personal information.

What is an application letter template?

An application letter template is a digital file that contains all the essential wording and formatting styles needed to create an effective application letter. They are fully editable so that the template’s end-user can easily add or remove their own information on the template before printing them out.

When is the best time to use an application letter template?

Pre-made application letter templates are best used if you are strapped for time to create your own application letter from scratch. They are also perfect for those who are looking for application letters that are customized for a specific job or industry. For example, if you are looking for an accountant application letter or post lecturer application letter.

What software tools are used to create an application letter?

Word processing software like Microsoft Word and Mac Pages are usually used to create simple application letters. But if you want a well-designed letter, you may look into using graphic design and compositing applications like Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher to add more visual elements to your application letter.

Looking for a job or various academic or personal opportunities can be hard in the current economic climate. But do not be easily discouraged. With the help of simple pre-formatted letter templates, you do not have to worry about how your application letter will look and how it will sound. All the free application letter templates included in this article come with pre-made wording that anyone may easily customize to match their own circumstances. Enjoy the application letter-writing and job-hunting process in the meantime!